“How…” I croak, picturing Cove as a little girl learning her father would never return. I know the heart she has now, and I can imagine how badly that destroyed her. The repercussions of it are still ripe to this day. “I thought you were better than that. After everything you did for Abigail.”
“That’s because I actually loved Abbi! There’s a difference. McIntosh Motors was blowing up. I couldn’t risk losing it all for some child and her needy mother. Not when I could have an empire.”
I shake my head, dumbfounded by what I’m hearing. “Thatchild…has become the love of my fucking life. The most incredible woman I’ve ever met, no thanks to you. But you wasted no time at all finding yourself a new family once the deals were made and signed in permanent ink.”
“I fucking knew it!” he roars, charging toward me, but his balance is still off, swaying as I step to the side. “I told you to stay away from her. She’s bad news. The girl called me, asking for money. I don’t know why, but she sounded desperate. There was no way I was helping her without there being something in it for me. This”—he waves his hands around the ranch—“was our agreement.”
“She told me everything days ago, Nate.”
“So you figured you’d take advantage of the sad girl who needed money? Make her vulnerability something to benefit you?”
Rich fucking bastard.
“I loved her before she showed up at Coleson! That woman has been my every waking thought since the day I met her months ago. I never knew she was your daughter because—jokes on me—you never told us!”
“I didn’t need to. We aren’t family, and if I had it my way, I’d never see her again. You can hate me all you want for that, but I have a family. Misty and Emma…they’re my family. And pretty soon, Cove will be gone for good.”
I exhale, my disbelief turning into pathetic disappointment for someone I thought I knew. “You’re right about one thing…we aren’t family. In fact, we aren’t even friends. Brothers. None of it. I’m going to marry her someday, Nate. I can promise you that. And you’re going to wish you did better, but don’t come pleading for forgiveness when that day comes because you won’t find it. I’ll take care of her. I’ll love her the way she deserves. I’ll give her everything. So much so, she’ll never need a dime from you or anyone else, for that matter. My love for her has no conditions. You can take that reassurance to your goddamn grave.”
“I see,” he mumbles, and for a second, I think he cares. “I can’t say I ever saw this coming, but so be it.” Nate stands and attempts to adjust his tie and dress shirt. “And just so we’re clear, the deal is off. She can find her savior somewhere else. Have Abbi call me. I’ve got damage control to do with acquisition, and that’s if Austin hasn’t already bitched to Harrison about this catastrophe. I never should have even considered this mess.”
And he still only cares about business. How was I so blind?
A feminine, yet no less angry, voice chimes in from behind us. “Abbiwill not be calling you. I heard everything. And just so we’re clear, Nathaniel,” Abbi expresses from the threshold of the barn, mocking his own words. “If Stetson loves Cove, I love Cove. End of story. We choose her. Now, get the fuck off Coleson Ranch.”
With the shake of his head and an inaudible mumble under his breath, Nathaniel storms off. I hardly have a second to recover before Abbi calls my name, snapping me out of the fog I’m in. “Stetson.”
Anger like I’ve never known stews inside of me. “Sorry you had to hear that.”
She shakes her head, a bit of panic laced in her voice. “Cove just left. Have you spoken to her?”
Fear quickly replaces anger. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her yet. I knew I needed to deal with Nate before going after Cove. “Not yet. I needed Nate to know I knew everything. He deserves to suffer the consequences, Abbi. I’m just sorry it had to be tonight, of all nights.”
She waves me off. “Don’t apologize to me. It’s your party, brother. You can cry if you want to.”
I pull her in for a hug, thankful to have a sister like her,before reality snaps me back into place. “Cove left?” She nods steadily. “I sent Granger after her. He’s got the main jet on standby. She’s safe.”
Thank hell.
“Stet, she left you this.” Abbi hands me a folded lime-green Post-it Note with Cove’s rushed handwriting written across it. “I didn’t read it, but you should.” I peer down at her words, and comfort calms me in the midst of sudden worry.
I need to see my mom. Thank you for defending me and showing me I can trust you. I love you beyond the stars and moon. Oh, and Happy Birthday. I owe you a celebration.
xo, Cove
She’s okay. I can breathe.
But also, communication. We’re communicating. This is good.
I’m glad she felt safe enough to tell me where she went without leaving me to panic. Now that the deal has been dealt with, it’s time I put my plan into place.
Surely, Cove hasn’t forgotten my words to her just last night.
I’ll chase her until the end of time. However and wherever needed.
And that includes today.
“Clay!” I shout from across the courtyard as I stride to the house.
